Long tailbacks as locals block Ctg-Cox's Bazar highway demanding six-lane expansion
One demonstrator warned of tougher programmes ahead if a clear announcement to widen the highway to six lanes is not made within one month.
Local residents blocked the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway in Lohagara upazila of Chattogram today (14 April), demanding that the road be expanded to six lanes.
At about 11:45am, hundreds of people took positions on the road in the Amirabad Station area, bringing traffic to a standstill.
The blockade was still underway at the time of filing this report (12:45pm), causing severe congestion stretching at least four kilometres on both sides of the highway.
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Upon receiving news of the blockade, police arrived at the scene and requested demonstrators to clear the road.
Also present were local MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, Lohagara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saiful Islam and Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abdul Jalil.
The OC said, "We are in discussion with them and trying to restore traffic movement as soon as possible."
The demonstrators chanted slogans as they occupied the road.
They alleged that the narrow two-lane highway has become a source of extreme public suffering due to frequent accidents and chronic traffic jams, demanding an immediate announcement to upgrade the road to six lanes.
Local resident Aminul Ehsan, who took part in the demonstration, warned of tougher programmes ahead if a clear announcement to widen the highway to six lanes is not made within one month.
